202-Year-Old Paris Bakery, City's Oldest, Forced to Close

Mon dieu! After more than two centuries in business, Paris's oldest bakery has baked its final baguette. Au Grand Richelieu Boulangerie will close its doors following a landlord's decision to double the location's rent price. Claude Esnault, the proprietor, told Reuters, "I would like to see someone take over the bakery, but I know it will close. It will die." The rent is increasing to €18,000 to stay in line with the prices in the neighborhood.

Locals fear the entire neighborhood will soon change, leaving residents without shopkeepers who have served the area for years. Esnault likened it to a village where there are no essentials — no bakery, nor school. In place of this 202-year-old institution (history lesson: the bakery was around when Napoleon was Emperor of France) will be a bakery, but one that makes sweets, not what the French call "le pain quotidien," the daily bread.

Le Richelieu is located in the 1st arrondissement, one of the most expensive areas in Paris. Esnault has been the owner since 1969. According to Europeforvisitors.com, the tiny shop produces more than 400 baguettes, 200 croissants, 150 pain au chocolate, and dozens of other pastries per day. Unfortunately, it's time to bid the shop adeiu.